July’s edition may not have stopped you from screaming into the void, but it did stop me, so here are three causes you could support to make the world a tiny bit less bonkers. This time there’s an environmental theme, because I’ve been walking by some very autumnal trees and landscapes, and seeing colour after the summer’s drought is lovely. Please let’s keep having seasons, instead of six months of scorching sun followed by six months of torrential rain!
Help the Wildlife Trusts buy Rothbury Estate
How I only came across this on a pop culture subreddit I do not know: the Wildlife Trust is trying to raise £30 million to buy the whole of the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland to stop it being divided and sold, and preserve the entire space as a home for wildlife indefinitely. Here’s David Attenborough explaining why we should give a shit, although if Attenborough’s involved I feel like we can take that part as read. Every donation up until the end of September, up to £800,000, is being matched by a few charitable trusts, so chip in before the 30th to make an even bigger difference.
Tighten regulations on who can own animals in the UK
I’m a big fan of Bea Elton’s long form videos, where she deep cleans the home of someone whose life and ability to care for their living space has gone awry. (Don’t watch them when you’re eating.)
Bea’s put together a petition calling for a register of convicted animal abusers, viewable by vets, breeders and charities, and a lifetime ban on convicted abusers acquiring more pets. I’m not always convinced that more or new legislation is needed to solve an issue, but it’s bonkers that people with convictions for animal cruelty can rock up to a Pets At Home to buy more animals, no questions asked. I think most of us think we’re responsible pet owners, but Bea’s videos indicate how badly things can go when our mental health or perception on reality begins to slip. I live with a physical disability which can – and does – send my mental health upside down. If I’m ever not well enough to look after myself, I don’t want to be able to visit a pet store and buy an animal I also can’t look after, just because my brain’s decided that a chinchilla is absolutely the thing that will help. (Other things I’ve decided will help my health: impromptu MCR tickets, which actually did; a Masters degree, which didn’t).
Support farmers to use non-toxic chemicals
Or ask the government to support them, anyway, with this Greenpeace petition. What I know about agriculture could fill a teaspoon but I do have a hunch that if some farmers can transition out of, or always avoid, toxic fertilisers then the rest probably could with the right infrastructure and financial support.
If you think about it, the right infrastructure and support could solve most things. Transitioning to green energy. Building homes that aren’t made of cardboard and enjoy the associated required bus routes and community spaces. Bad posture from wearing a shit bra for months.*
Look after yourselves,
Francesca
*this post was brought to you by someone whose undergarments recently began to disintegrate. I’ll do a fast fashion edition of this series one of these days.
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